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Moreover, if thou wish to be united with her, I can manage the

matter, for she is my mistress." "O my mother," asked my brother,

"by what manner of means can I get at her?"; and she answered, "O

my son! she hath an inclination for thee, but she is the wife of

a wealthy man; so take the whole of thy money with thee and

follow me, that I may guide thee to thy desire: and when thou art

in her company spare neither persuasion nor fair words, but bring

them all to bear upon her; so shalt thou enjoy her beauty and

wealth to thy heart's content." My brother took all his gold and

rose and followed the old woman, hardly believing in his luck.

She ceased not faring on, and my brother following her, till they

came to a tall gate at which she knocked and a Roumi

slave-girl[FN#672] came out and opened to them.